Since 1929...
...the Vanderburgh Medical Alliance (VMA) has worked to promote the health and wellness of our community. The VMA supports the families of medicine in Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey and Henderson Counties. The membership of over 120 is committed to developing and implementing health-related programs in the Tri-State area.
IU School of Medicine-Evansville
For the past 18 years the Vanderburgh Medical Alliance has given two $1,000 scholarships annually to one first-year and one second-year medical student studying at the Indiana University School of Medicine Evansville campus. In 2018 the first VMA Endowed Scholarship was awarded to one third and one fourth year medical student each receiving $5,000. We are extremely proud of the support we are able to provide the local medical school.
Style Show
This annual fundraiser has distributed over $375,000 in the past 31 years. Our funds are allocated to charitable, 501(c)3, organizations to be used for health-related programs in our community and for two $1,000 scholarships to the IU School of Medicine, Evansville Campus and three $1,000 scholarships to graduates of the EVSC Medical Professional Academy. In conjuction with the Vanderburgh Medical Society, the Vanderburgh Medical Alliance also sponsors "Just for the Health of it," a free interactive health fair in mid July at the Evansville Children's Museum.
Staying Connected
The VMA is in alliance with the Vanderburgh County Medical Society(VCMS), which monitors local, state, and national medical and legislative activities. In addition, we network directly with our state organization, the Indiana State Medical Association-Alliance (ISMA-A), and the national organization, the American Medical Association-Alliance (AMA-A), to provide members with up-to-date medical information regarding the advancement of medicine and public health through meetings, printed newsletters, and electronic formats.
Embracing the Past
Over the past 90 years, the VMA has grown from primarily a social group to a vibrant not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. We have a proud history of establishing and supporting innovative projects, programs and services.
- Philanthropic activities to benefit the AMA-Education and Research Foundation
- Meals to the homebound that evolved into the local Meals on Wheels, Inc.
- CPR Training for 9th grade students in Vanderburgh County
- Para-Medical Careers Fund, interest free loan to help finance medical education/training
- Holidays for Humanities, collecting and packing drugs for Central American missions
- “Inside/Outside – a Medical View of the Human Body” a year long series of museum exhibits
- “Over the Rainbow” playground at Wesselman Park
- “Stuffee” the 7-foot tall doll at CMoE
- Tales and Scales “Head Strong” Residencies, school workshops in bullying prevention
Making a Difference Today
The VMA embraces our Vision Statement – To foster friendships amoung medical families and promote quality health and medical education in Southwestern Indiana. We have recently funded:
- Boys & Girls Club
- Castle North Generaion On
- Easter Seals Rehab Center
- Evansville Christian Life Center
- Holly's House
- St. Vincent Medical Center Foundation
- Little Lambs
- Public Education Foundation
- EVSC Medical Professional Academy
- TOUCH, Inc.
- Tri-State Food Bank
- United Caring Services
- United Methodist Youth Home
- Youth First
- Youth Resources of Southwestern Indiana
- YWCA
- Vanderburgh County CASA
Meals on Wheels
In 1965, “Home Delivered Meals,” now referred to as “Meals on Wheels,” came to Evansville under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church and two Vanderburgh Medical Alliance (Vanderburgh-Southwestern Medical Auxiliary) members, Mrs. Ben Woodward and Mrs. James Marvel. The program provided nutritious meals, personal contact, and safety checks to shut-ins.
Two years later, following the trend set by the National Medical Auxiliary (AMA-Alliance) to improve home care services and provide community outreach, the Auxiliary became officially responsible for the Meals on Wheels program as a full membership project.
This was the largest community project the Auxiliary had undertaken at any time outside of war efforts. With Mrs. Woodward’s guidance, the Auxiliary operated all aspects of the growing program for seven years. In 1975, additional community involvement allowed Meals on Wheels to become its own entity.
In 1994 the VMA partnered with Kenny Kent to provide a new van for meal delivery and has over the years contributed generously to the Meals on Wheels program.
In 2012 MOW delivered 27,336 meals to 299 clients and currently has 83 volunteers. New volunteers are always needed to help drive or deliver meals to current Evansville homebound residents.
For more information, please call MOW at 476-6521.